Food Network's 'Food Court Wars' films in Logan

1/31/2014 2:45 PM
By Associated Press

LOGAN, Utah (AP) — Viewers of the popular Food Network show "Food Court Wars," which pits area chefs against one another for a chance to open their own dining space, may soon see Logan as the backdrop for an upcoming episode.

Rumpole Inc., the production company for the program, was scheduled to film at the Cache Valley Mall Thursday before heading to Beaver Mountain on Friday.

On Saturday afternoon, the show was scheduled to return to the Cache Valley Mall for the actual competition, where the general public could try the competitors' culinary creations.

Rumors of the show were floated in October after a Cache Valley chef told The Herald Journal he was contacted by the network as a potential contestant. Since that time, the network and production company officials have declined to comment to the paper.

Rumpole Inc. arrived Jan 26 and set up temporary offices at the Cache Valley Mall, in the vacant Dillard's space, according to the Logan Downtown Alliance.

Rachael Trigg, the associate producer of "Food Court Wars," with One Potato Two Potato Inc., said in a prepared statement that she was looking forward to what she "hopes will be the best episode of the year."

Hosted by chef Tyler Florence, the show pits two teams of two against each other over the course of 72 hours, as each team must create a food court concept, market it and then outsell the other team in a single day of business at the mall. The team that makes the most profit wins the mall space — and $100,000, which goes to one year of free rent and start-up costs. The losing team vacates the mall after the competition.

Seth Hyman, a spokesman for the Food Network, declined to answer specific questions about the Logan episode but provided a company news release.

"Restaurateurs across the country are paying more attention to mall food courts as a destination to serve enticing and delicious, under-the-radar cuisine," said Bob Tuschman, general manager and senior vice president of the Food Network, in the prepared statement. "Tyler's unique culinary experience and business acumen makes him the perfect fit to help guide the teams, as they battle it out for a chance to fulfill their dreams of opening their own restaurant."

The Logan episode could provide a much-needed boost for Cache Valley Mall, which currently only includes Rice Village and a large seating area as its designated food court space. Within the last year, Paradise Bakery chain, located across from the court, was added.

Dillard's closed last year and will soon be replaced by Herberger's, another department store.

The Cache Valley Mall complex includes several establishments outside the mall, including Texas Roadhouse and University Stadium 6.